My Funny Valentine
Valentine’s Day has long been celebrated as a day for lovers to express how much they care about each other. Whether you’ve been having a rough time at keeping your relationship in order or you’ve been living on cloud nine with your partner – Valentine’s Day is a cease fire of, “Let me count the ways…” As we get older we realize that love is a complicated emotion that can grow with every passing year or wane and die with each sunrise. The remarkable thing is that age also teaches us how to simplify our relationships so that we get the maximum amount of pleasure with the minimum amount of pain. Sometimes this means openly communicating with your partner to set new boundaries and rules that make the relationship fit both parties’ needs. Ultimately, use this Valentine’s Day to recognize that you have as much to do with the success of your relationship – or lack thereof – as everyone else. Step-up to the plate. Grab the bull by the horns. Snatch that bow-and-arrow from Cupid and take matters into your own hands. In the end, as Luther once sang, “If you can’t be with the one you love, then love the one you’re with.”
Friday the 17th- Celebrate Good Times, Come On!
This Friday, February 17, Carmen C. hosts her first monthly Friday night dance party at La Maganette. The guest list has already topped 30 folks who say they will be present to party. With R&B, salsa, merengue, disco, and yes, even hip-hop, the party will be on-and-poppin’. La Maganette is at 50th and 3rd Avenue in midtown. Cover charge is $8 with free buffet beginning at 6 p.m. So join in on the fun and get ready to release some of that weekday pressure.
Long Story Short
Momma Cruz cut her hand on a splintered glass while doing dishes last night. The cut required six stitches to close. Cruz is in great spirits and recovering at home. Carlos C. is heading out to Puerto Rico February 20. After struggling with poor health this year, Carlos will be enjoying some fun in the sun for a week. Chaka Khan will be performing at Lehman College in the Bronx on March 23. Tickets range from $30-$45. J’Moo are we going to be front-and-center to join in on Black Butterfly?! Leona G. has agreed to pick up tickets for the show. What’s behind door number 3? Okay, I’ve been a bit adventurous and fun-loving of late and guess what, I think it’s okay. Recently I’ve met three great men who are a lot of fun and don’t have many hang-ups. Call me crazy, but I think I’ve discovered the wonderful world of up-front and comfortable dating without the drama. Today on Valentine’s Day I take a page from En Vogue – “Free your mind and the rest will follow.” Friday we will do our weigh-in and catch-up on our Body Beautiful Campaign. So get out your measuring tape, pull out and dust the scales and get ready to tell us about your progress.
On Blast
Face your fear. Sometimes the greatest fear we have is that folks will see us for who we really are. What are you most afraid that prospective new partners will discover about you? What is most important to you that new people come away with about you?
Keep passin’ the open windows…
10 comments:
Black History Fact:
A Lesson in Black History ??
The Statue of Liberty ??
It is hard to believe that after many years of schooling (secondary
and
post) the following facts about the Statue of Liberty were never
taught:
Hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of people including myself
have
visited the Statue of Liberty over the years but yet I'm unable to
find
one person who knows the true history behind the Statue...amazing!
Yes, amazing that so much important Black history (such as this) is
hidden from us (Black and White). What makes this even worse is the
fact
that the current twist on history perpetuates and promotes white
supremacy at the expense of Black Pride!
During my visit to France I saw the original Statue of Liberty.
However,
there was a difference... the statue in France is BLACK!!!!!!
"Ya learn something new everyday!"
The Statue of Liberty was originally a Black woman. But, as memory
serves, it was because the model was Black. In a book called "The
Journey of The Songhai People," as Dr. Jim Haskins (a member of the
National Education Advisory Committee of the Liberty-Ellis Island
Committee, professor of English at the University of Florida, and
prolific Black author) points out that is what stimulated the
original
idea for that 151 foot statue in the harbor. He says that the idea
for
the creation of the statue initially was to acknowledge the part that
Black soldiers played in the ending of Black African Bondage in the
United States.
It was created in the mind of the French historian Edourd de
Laboulaye,
Chairman of the French Anti-Slavery Society, who, together with
sculptor
Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, proposed to the French government that
the
people of France present to the people of the United States through
the
American Abolitionist Society, the gift of a Statue of Liberty in
recognition of the fact that Black soldiers won the Civil War in the
United States. It was widely known then that it was Black Soldiers
who
played the pivotal role in winning the war, and this gift would be a
tribute to their prowess.
Suzanne Nakasian, director of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island
Foundations' National Ethnic Campaign said that the Black Americans'
direct
connection to Lady Liberty is unknown to the majority of Americans,
BLACK or WHITE.
When the statue was presented to the US. Minister to France in 1884,
it
is said that he remonstrated that the dominant view of the broken
shackles would be offensive to the U.S. South because the statue was
a
reminder of Blacks winning their freedom. It was a reminder to a
beaten
South of the ones who caused their defeat, their despised former
captives.
Documents of Proof:
(1.) You may go and see the original model of the Statue of Liberty,
with the broken chains at her feet and in her left hand. Go to the
Museum of the City of NY, Fifth Avenue and 103rd Street (212)
534-1672
or call the same number and dial ext. 208 and speak to Peter Simmons
and
he can send you some documentation.
(2.) Check with the N.Y. Times magazine, part II May 18, 1986.
(3.) The dark original face of the Statue of Liberty can be seen in
the
N.Y. Post June 17, 1986, also the Post stated the reason for the
broken
chains at her feet.
(4.) Finally, you may check with the French Mission or the French
Embassy at the U.N. or in Washington, D.C.and ask for some original
French material on the Statue of Liberty, including the Bartholdi
original model. You can call (202) 944-6060 or 6400.
Coco, on the low;
wine and seedless grape
J'Moo
On Blast…
1. I’m most afraid that prospective partners will discover that I’m much more of a relationship-oriented person than the free spirit that I struggle to be. I think it’s odd that I would feel this way, since I suspect it’s my affection, attention and warmth while dating is what most attracts the folks I’m intimate with.
2. It’s most important that prospective dates come away with the notion that I’m fun, smart, strong-minded, but caring. So far, I think I’ve been successful at conveying this.
Before this gets ugly, I’d like to say that I want to believe you Donya, but I think we’re going to need much more substantial proof than a few folks making assumptions. So before we begin singing Negro spirituals in New York Harbor, let’s recognize that Ms. Liberty looks more like Julie Newmar than Shequida Jackson. Also, history has shown that no one knew the actual inspiration for the statue’s image and historians have always believed that it was the artist’s wife (a white woman – picture on attached site) who inspired the sculpture. You might want to read….
http://www.americanparknetwork.com/parkinfo/sl/history/liberty.html
…and yes, my Tam-Tam is like a Cellas chocolate covered cherry…slightly hard on the outside with a soft sweet center. :)
Well I thought of that too Hector which is I put the information up there so that those in New York can check it out while my children and I do what we need to do here. I figure if we work together we can find out if this is true or not.
True fact about the statue of Liberty found at: http://www.endex.com/gf/buildings/liberty/libertyfacts/Toes.041231.pdf
In Bartholdi’s models for the Statue of Liberty, his training in
the classic traditions can be seen as the idea for the statue develops.
From an Egyptian woman, to a Greek goddess to his
final change, a Roman goddess, his statue has symbolic
meaning from the torch’s flame to the statue’s toes.
As a goddess, Liberty wears a crown with seven rays emanating.
This “perfect” number reflects the Seven Seas and the
Seven Continents as illustrated in Biblical texts. The torch is to
enlighten: if darkness is eliminated fear is gone! The keystone
tucked under the left arm and inscribed, July 4, 1776, represents
the law. America is a nation of laws, not of men. Her
dress, like a Roman goddess, is a stola, a palla and a tunic.
Her raised right foot is on the move. This symbol of Liberty
and Freedom is not standing still or at attention in the harbor,
she is moving forward. as her left foot tramples chains of tyranny
and slavery. And, on her Greek/Roman feet, open sandals
that define her heritage from the earliest days of civilization—
we see her Morton’s toes and her “hammer” little toe.
For me personally I have learned that being too open & giving is not a good thing & after waking up & realizing how there actually are people that would take advantage of that I am now working on not being that way so my biggest fear now would be for a man to see who I really am and take advantage of it. But my biggest fear is waking up sooner rather later from now on.
That I am a person who loves life, enjoys eating & working out to stay in shape or else I would be bigger than a house.
Krissy
For me personally I have learned that being too open & giving is not a good thing & after waking up & realizing how there actually are people that would take advantage of that I am now working on not being that way so my biggest fear now would be for a man to see who I really am and take advantage of it. But my biggest fear is waking up sooner rather later from now on.
That I am a person who loves life, enjoys eating & working out to stay in shape or else I would be bigger than a house.
Krissy
Like they said in The Price is Right, "Bob, I'd like to pass on that Showcase and bid on the next one..."
I was talking about the hug Freakin' asked for :)
your a mean man! The girl needed a hug.
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